Ocean’s Twelve is considered to be much like its predecessor Ocean’s Eleven: nonsense of a lark, with an extravagant plot given life by the blending of the director’s (Steven Soderbergh) exuberance in filmmaking, and the appeal of a star-studded cast. The team of eleven professional thieves (including Matt Damon, Brad Pitt, Don Cheadle, and Bernie Mac) find themselves in a cat and mouse of all sorts. Ocean’s Twelve shows them being pursued by a few people (which do not bode well for thieves): a guy they once robbed (Andy Garcia), is hot on their heels; a plush but seasoned detective (Catherine Zeta-Jones); and a master thief (Vincent Cassel) who rivals the team’s leader Danny Ocean (George Clooney) as the best thief in the field. As if the stars brightness weren’t nearly enough, Julia Roberts comes back at Ocean’s wife. Ocean’s Twelve definitely packs excellent movie star cameo. All these are equally matched by the skill and guidance of Soderbergh’s screenplay, smart editing, and excellent use of location including Paris, Rome, and Amsterdam as his sites. One might think the movie should collapse under the weight of its own absurdity, but it does no such thing. The film’s boorish spirit flows along, giving lightweight but absolutely believable entertainment.
. –Bret Fetzer